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Typist: BethanyI often get comments on this blog, on the streets and in our travels about 'R' Blood on the Tracks Boys amazing "stay." Usually, the first thing I blurt out is "it's not easy!" I also joke that it takes a lot of treats. And at first it does. One of the ways the dogs got so good at the "stay" command was training and practice for their Canine Good Citizenship Tests. So it was no surprise when I received August's Pet360 newsletter I was instantly drawn to one of the articles titled "Turning Your Pet Into A Canine Good Citizen."

The newsletter link led me to a two and a half minute video on Pet360 featuring Victoria Schade, CPDT, on polishing your dogs "stay" command. The title, "How to Teach Your Dog the Basic Command: Stay" is a bit misleading since the video is more about reaffirming an already established "stay" command and adding distractions to improve it. Being a hobby trainer who is always seeking new and exciting training ideas, I thoroughly enjoyed the at home distraction demonstrations in the video. I have never tried the dishwasher distraction before. The dogs usually practice their "out" command when I am working in the kitchen. I like that Ms. Schade reminds viewers "you don't want to load the entire dishwasher the first time you try." This is great advice to help keep us trainers from pushing to fast and help our dogs avoid making mistakes.

Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley all did well at learning their "stay" commands with distractions in obedience classes but an out of sight "stay" was very difficult for Wilhelm. After Tynan died, Wilhelm developed severe separation anxiety so the out of sight "stay" was extremely stressful for him. We had to work it slowly in less stressful environments like at home. Wilhelm continues to need more work on remembering his "stay" than Brychwyn and Huxley.

All three dogs and I took the Canine Good Citizenship Test last summer, and even though

Practicing a "stay" near the dishwasher.

Victoria Schade shows how to polish a "stay"

Learning "stay" at the door when it's easier and no guests are there

Huxley was only seven and a half months old, I was most nervous about four-year-old Wilhelm making the grade. I almost cried when the tester said Wilhelm didn't whine at all during the "Supervised Separation" portion of the Canine Good Citizen Test. I had gotten good advice from one of our obedience instructors to put him in a "stay" when I leave so he is working, and he will focus on the job and not on seeing me leave. Practicing that out of sight "stay" in our house several times a day, almost everyday for over a year (and occasionally in places we traveled) finally paid off!

This was the first time I was comfortable enough with all three dogs "stay" to back so far away.

Wilhelm is obviously thrilled that he passed the CGC and the TDI tests.

So how is your dogs "stay?" What creative at home techniques do you use to practice "stay?" Click here to check out the Pet360 "How To Teach Your Dog The Basic Command: Stay" video and let us know what you think. This summer has included a whole lot of fun, relaxed, picture posing "stay" commands for the dogs, I have a feeling when we get back into real obedience "stay" commands this fall, we will need all the help we can get!

I've actually been working on Shiner's stay command more lately. Especially when feeding and coming through the door. It seems like treats don't help with training in this situation. She just really wants the treat and comes to me expecting me to give it to her half the time lol. She's getting better though.

Reply

Bethany

8/30/2013 04:49:37 pm

First of all, Ann, you are so awesome for still working with/training 10-year-old Shiner! I know so many people whose dogs are no where near being considered seniors who just throw up their hands about bad habits their dogs have and give up. Have you tried remote/delayed rewarding Shiner? Hopefully I am going to do a post about it soon but it's basically having the treats nearby and not on you. If you are using a marker word or clicker, you have a bit of time to treat since your dog knows it's coming. This helped a lot with Wilhelm since he also would just decide it was time to come get the treat no matter what I said or did.

Great post! I agree that it takes consistency and refreshers throughout the dog's life. Magical-Dawg is now 7. He "knows" all these things, but like any of us, he'll take the easy route if he can, LOL! Fading the treats as well as using intermittent rewards can help. At first, treat EVERY time, then every other, and then once in a while throw in a HUGE GLORIOUS BONUS and so on, theoretically so the dog can anticipate "maybe this time I get the bonus." That also can help prevent the expectation of "needing" to see a treat before willing to perform.

Reply

Bethany

8/31/2013 09:55:26 am

Great advice, Amy! Thank you. I remember how nervous I was the first time I asked all three of my dogs to "stay" and I didn't have any treats on me. I honestly didn't think they would "stay" but since I had worked intermittent treating with each of them individually it worked! I now have treats with me way less of the time than I actually carry and give treats but they (mostly) work very well for that possible "huge glorious bonus!"

I have to say, my boys have excellent stays. They learned it with ease. I did a lot of Susan Garrett's Crate Games with them as well as a lot of agility training. If Jimmy didn't stay at the start line in agility class, he lost his turn! It didn't take many lost runs before he was rock solid. I also think all of my many photo shots have taught them to stay as well. I always carry treats on walks and when I make them stay for a photo, they get a treat when I am done.

Both boys have their CGCs, Jimmy at 9 months, Wilson at 15 months. They also have Rally Novice titles. We've spent lots of time learning.

Reply

Bethany

8/31/2013 10:04:06 am

Ah, the cardi work ethic! I remember a puppy kindergarten instructor's jaw dropping in awe with how long 12 week old Brychwyn could hold a "watch" and a "stay." He now spins around, sits and looks up at me when I say "picture." What an absolutely awesome dog. You are so lucky to have TWO of them, Taryn!

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